The Parliament of 1265

This section explores the role and aftermath of the Parliament of 1265. In 1265, Simon de Montfort briefly controlled England after capturing both King Henry III and his heir, Prince Edward. During this period, de Montfort made significant changes aimed at transforming England into a republic where decisions were made by a parliament rather than a monarch. Although these reforms ended abruptly at the Battle of Evesham, where de Montfort was killed, the legacy of his actions had a lasting impact. His rebellion laid the groundwork for the development of a parliamentary system similar to the one in place today.

The Parliament of 1265

• After capturing King Henry III and his son, de Montfort began to take control of England’s governance.
• He sought to create a republic where parliamentary decisions would replace the absolute power of the monarchy.
• In 1265, de Montfort called a Great Council of Barons, but for the first time, he extended invitations to knights and wealthy merchants—referred to as burgesses—to join the assembly.
  • These individuals were not part of the nobility, but rather commoners, marking a historic shift.
  • This was the first instance where commoners had any significant role or influence in the governance of the country.
• The inclusion of commoners in decision-making is a key reason why the Parliament of 1265 is considered a pivotal moment in English history.

The Battle of Evesham

• Not all barons supported de Montfort’s reforms. Some feared that his growing power was a threat to their own influence.
• When Prince Edward escaped from captivity during a horse ride, he became the rallying point for these dissenting barons.
• On 4th August 1265, Prince Edward’s army faced de Montfort’s forces in the Battle of Evesham.
  • De Montfort’s forces were heavily outnumbered.
  • During the battle, de Montfort was killed, reportedly hacked to pieces while leading a cavalry charge.
• The defeat of de Montfort at Evesham ended his experiment with a more inclusive form of governance.

How Did Parliament Develop After 1265?

• After Henry III regained the throne, he did not call another Great Council.
• However, his son, Prince Edward, who became Edward I in 1272, recognised the importance of keeping the barons onside.
  • Whenever Edward required new taxes, he began to call parliaments, ensuring that taxes were discussed and approved by representatives, rather than being imposed without consent.
• In 1295, Edward I called the Model Parliament, a significant step forward in the development of England’s parliamentary system.
  • The Model Parliament brought together both lords and commoners, a structure that closely resembles the modern UK Parliament.
  • However, unlike today, voting was not secret, and only nobles had the right to vote.

Short-Term Impacts of the Parliament of 1265

• After de Montfort’s death, Henry III reasserted control over England within two years.
• Despite this, Henry continued to summon the commons to Parliament to approve new taxes.
  • This practice continued under Edward I, who formalised it by calling the Model Parliament in 1295.

Medium-Term Impacts of the Parliament of 1265

• One of the most significant long-term effects of the 1265 Parliament was its role in challenging the power of the monarchy.
• The ideas about a more representative government laid the foundation for the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw the Parliament replace the monarchy in many respects.
  • This shift would not have occurred without the influence of de Montfort’s expanded Parliament in 1265.

Long-Term Impacts of the Parliament of 1265

• The Parliament of 1265 established the principle of representation for the common people in decisions about the governance of the country.
  • This had lasting effects, inspiring movements such as the Chartists in the 19th century, who campaigned for universal male suffrage.
• Though different in many ways, the structure of the Parliament of 1265 set the foundation for the parliamentary system that exists today, with both the House of Commons and the House of Lords functioning as key components of British governance.

By establishing a precedent for the involvement of commoners in the political process, the events of 1265 marked the beginning of a more inclusive and representative political system in England.